270 ammo for South African game

[bazza]

Just purchased a Ruger 270 MK11. What grain and brand ammo would you suggest for game in South Africa up to a gemsbok?

 

[Velo Dog]

Hello bazza,

Welcome to the world's best forum.
RE: your question:
150 grain Swift A-Frame.

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

 

[JakeH]

We discussed in my thread that Partitions worked well too.

 

[Velo Dog]

We discussed in my thread that Partitions worked well too.

The good old Nosler Partition is IMO a very good "plains game" bullet.
If were one to use the .270 for same but, for some reason I could not get A-Frames for it or, if my rifle refused to shoot them accurately, I have no doubts that the 150 gr NP would serve me well.

 

[RogerHeintzman]

Welcome to AH bazza,
Don't get caught up in all the bullet hype unless you are reloading.
If using factory ammo, what shoots best.
Remember, it is bullet placement, plain and simple.

 

[salesman]

My preference would be...
1. Swift A-Frame
2. Nosler Partition

 

[bazza]

Thanks guys. Will check both out.

 

[Ryan]

From my experience with Barnes I'd suggest (in order of preference)

Barnes VorTX ammo in 130 grain

Norma ammo in 150 grain Oryx bonded bullet

Nosler Custom Ammo in 130 grain Nosler Accubond.

 

[fourfive8]

The 270 is a non mag mag so failures of frangible type bullets at close range/high impact velocities always possible. Plan for worst scenarios- not the best scenarios... like having to drive a bullet through the rear end and into the vitals of a fleeing wildebeest that has already been hit.... etc. For larger antelope, use a premium, tough bullet, preferably in 150 grain conventional (or 120-130 +/- in monolithics), that shoots best in your rifle. My prefs are: Swift A Frame, Nosler Partition, TSX/TTSX, Norma Kalahari, Norma Oryx, etc.

 

[Hogpatrol]

As been posted, shot placement is the priority. I'm not an expert on the .270 but I built a custom rifle in that caliber for a friend and we tried five different factory ammos starting with the 134 gr Browning BXRs up to 150 gr Federals. The BXRs shot the most accurate, less than 1 MOA at 100 yds. A friend of mine used a Savage .270 with handloaded Berger 140 grain bullets and killed 13 African animals with one shot up to and including both wildebeests and a gemsbok, a warthog not hit in the right place took a couple more. Having said that, I would use a 140 or 150 grain class bullet that shoots the most accurately out of YOUR rifle. Good luck on your hunt, the .270 will more than do the job.

 

[bazza]

So it seems 130 to 150 gr try various and choose best grouping. Can't wait

 

[fourfive8]

Also, read through the other 270 thread now active on the Forum
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/270-for-plains-game.39501/page-3

 

[colorado]

150g Partitions through my 270 have killed dozens of elk, many many deer and seven black bears, great performance on all of them. Mine were handloads so they were a bit faster (3000 fps) than factory. Never shot a gemsbok so don't know how they compare. Ranges were from 15 to 400 plus yards for the elk and deer. Black bears were all up close typically less than 30 yards.

 

[Beans]

Barnes factory ammo works very well.
I have found that some 270's do not like heavier bullets like the 150gr.

 

[Dr Ray]

Just purchased a Ruger 270 MK11. What grain and brand ammo would you suggest for game in South Africa up to a gemsbok?

Are you buying factory made ammunition? If so I would suggest 130 grain or if you can buy 140-150 grain bullets.
I suggest you see what's available and if possible as others have advised, Mosley partitions.
The 130 grain bullets will actually give you more energy but will most likely lack the penetration of the heavier bullets.
Browning now sell 140 grain, I think, and these have copper tips to ensure deep penetration.
I have no experience with the Browning cartridges however.

 

[bazza]

Thanks for the advice

 

[bazza]

Oh I'm using factory ammo

 

[fourfive8]

Understand about difficulty in choices and prices of factory ammo thus wanting to make sure of best likelihood of finding right ammo to begin with. I was in Durban a couple years ago and some the ammo prices were shocking! I know the 120 Kalahari ammo by Norma is usually exceptional in the 270 but likely very expensive in RSA and while monolithic bullets of less weight match up well with their heavier lead cup/core counterparts... 120 is still a tad light for larger plains game- IMO. The other problem as has been mentioned in this thread is that the 120-130 bullets tend to shoot better than the 150 or heavier. I have found that to be true. But you still may be able to find acceptable accuracy in something like a factory quality lead core... I think Federal offers several 270 options. I'd try a factory 150 Nosler Partition. I think Federal offer a premium factory load with that bullet. Anyway, best of luck in your search!

 

[colorado]

Federal VitalShok ammo is loaded with 150g Partitions. We chrono'd them at about 2650 fps from our 22" barrels We've used them successfully on elk, but as handloaders the same bullet at 300 fps faster is our choice. The Federal ammo should work well on anything elk sized and smaller at reasonable ranges (300 yards and under).

 

[bazza]

Anyone used Sellier and Bellot 150gr SP?